If you are concerned about Wifi performance, the 5100 is said to perform a little less than the old 4965AGN card. For improved performance, go with the 5300 (3x3). The 3x3 means that it has three radios and three antennas. The 5300 will outperform the 4965AGN. You will likely need a supporting base station for maximum performance.

I also ordered the 5300 because I think I might be able to swap it for the WiMax card at a later time. From what I understand, WiMax will also require 3 antennas. They might put the 3 antennas in with the 5100, but I didn't want to take a chance.

I am excited that you can still order Windows XP. This laptop is going to be blazing fast with XP. Definitely the way to go. I went with the 80GB because I want to get a 64GB OCZ SSD.

If you are concerned about Wifi performance, the 5100 is said to perform a little less than the old 4965AGN card. For improved performance, go with the 5300 (3x3). The 3x3 means that it has three radios and three antennas. The 5300 will outperform the 4965AGN. You will likely need a supporting base station for maximum performance.

I also ordered the 5300 because I think I might be able to swap it for the WiMax card at a later time. From what I understand, WiMax will also require 3 antennas. They might put the 3 antennas in with the 5100, but I didn't want to take a chance.

I am excited that you can still order Windows XP. This laptop is going to be blazing fast with XP. Definitely the way to go. I went with the 80GB because I want to get a 64GB OCZ SSD.

quick question, the part 42X6321 SBB 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, W/ CAMERA that shows up on the order form after you purchase the copmuter is the LED backlit one correct? I just want to make sure they get that right and dont end up sending me a CCFL...

sfrohman90 wrote:quick question, the part 42X6321 SBB 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, W/ CAMERA that shows up on the order form after you purchase the copmuter is the LED backlit one correct? I just want to make sure they get that right and dont end up sending me a CCFL...

Correct, here is the description from my order confirmation via email and the web

I ordered a T400 last week but cancelled a few days later because the T9600 processor was not available at the time and now it is. When I called Lenovo the other day to cancel the order, they told me it was just about to ship or already has because the T400 orders are being fulfilled pretty quickly from the plant. Love Lenovo, she told me that she'd cancel my order but if it shipped before the cancelation went through, Lenovo would pay for the return shipping with no restocking fee. Even on a customized build. Nice!

Just reordered my kitched out T400 last night. Found a cool coupon online that worked. I think it was only good for yesterday but if you're going to order one of these units, do a google search for "thinkpad coupon". The one I found was USPONEDAY which saved me over $400.

so i called lenovo 4 days ago and they said my computer was being built and should ship before the expected date of august 26th(i ordered the morning of the 5th). I called back today to check on the status, and two differenct reps told me they were seeing SEPTEMBER 29TH as the ship date...I could not believe it I got really serious with the guy and had him look into it some more. He said as far as he could tell all the parts were instock and it was being built right now, but it would ship til the end of september....HOW are some of you getting earlier than expected ship dates when I ordered mine first thing august 5th...WTH is going on??????????????? Is anyone else having this same issue?
p.s the online order status site still says august 26th for me...

!!!! HOW IS URS MOVED UP AND MINE MOVED TO SEPT. 29TH!?!?!??!!?
when did you order yours? This is really pissing me off because i NEED mine by august 28th and lenovo SAID that wouldnt be a problem, i am leaving town after that date.

andrw wrote:I looked at your configuration. I think there have been Bluetooth-related delays for the T61, maybe its happening again. Or maybe there is a shortage of 9-cells.

That was my first thought too, but I had the lenovo rep look into and he put me on hold for awhile and he said all the parts in every warehouse are fully instock....somethings just not adding up here to me.

I can't wait for these to arrive, and I really hope the shipping date is accurate... I already sold my T60 and so am without a notebook until the new one arrives.

The T9600 was apparently priced incorrectly when I placed the order, so I got it for an extra $150 over the base config, and it appears that they're going to honor that pricing (at least, they haven't canceled the order yet).

One question - on the configuration screen, I selected the option for the 7-in-1 Media Card Reader... yet this part number looks like a 4-in-1 reader. Which is correct?

I had the same problem as you with the ship date delayed to september because of the nine cell battery. I called my sales rep today and FINALLY got it resolved. I downgraded to the 6 cell battery but was able to also upgrade to the T9600 2.8 Ghz processor all while brining the ship date back into august. it looks like i willa ctually get it before i leave with a faster processor than before!

sfrohman90 wrote:I had the same problem as you with the ship date delayed to september because of the nine cell battery. I called my sales rep today and FINALLY got it resolved. I downgraded to the 6 cell battery but was able to also upgrade to the T9600 2.8 Ghz processor all while brining the ship date back into august. it looks like i willa ctually get it before i leave with a faster processor than before!

Is the 9 cell for the T400 the same for the W500? I'm leaving for college soon, so I really hope that the W500 isn't also delayed.

sfrohman90 wrote:I had the same problem as you with the ship date delayed to september because of the nine cell battery. I called my sales rep today and FINALLY got it resolved. I downgraded to the 6 cell battery but was able to also upgrade to the T9600 2.8 Ghz processor all while brining the ship date back into august. it looks like i willa ctually get it before i leave with a faster processor than before!

Is the 9 cell for the T400 the same for the W500? I'm leaving for college soon, so I really hope that the W500 isn't also delayed.

I couldnt tell you for sure but it very well might be. Just give them a quick call and ask them the status of your order and they will tell you if there is a delay or not. The online order status site does not work at all so you have to call. The number is 1-866-42-THINK and it should be option 1 that gets you to the order status.

So my estimated ship date is back to August 27th. This is after being told that it would ship the 20th, then later being told it would ship the week of the 20th. Allegedly, the estimated ship date is subject to change on a daily basis, and that the factory updates this every day.